Did you know that there are 10 various parts that are required to make a complete solar powered system for your home? Of course you don't have to use all them. You can pick and choose depending on what type of system you want to end up with.
It doesn't really matter where you start. Remember you can start with a simple system and then add to it over time, as and when your experience and knowledge increases.
PV Solar Panels
These solar panels face the sun and convert the suns energy into power. Unfortunately, they produce DC power, so we have to change this to AC power. It doesn't matter how many solar cells or solar panels you connect together. Really, you want to connect as many as possible.
The panels are linked together inline. One follows the next one, a bit like a string of fairy lights in contrast to being connected together on an adhoc basis. That is why you can have as many panels as you like and the more you have the electricity you generate.
DC (Direct Current) Disconnect
As the electricity flows from your panels, the first component it hits is the DC disconnect. It is important if you want to do some maintenance on your system as it switches on and off the flow of electricity to your solar powered system.
Battery Charge Controller
A charge controller is very important to have if you are using batteries to store electricity. This prevents your batteries from becoming over charged, which can damage them.
Batteries
Be careful about what type of batteries you use to store electricity. The type you need is deep cycle. These batteries are often used in forklift vehicles. Do not use car batteries.
To get the best out of your batteries and to extend their working life, keep them at an ambient temperature. Do not put them outside, they need to be protected from the weather and covered. Furthermore, consider investing in a battery box which will help keep them at the optimum temperature.
System Meter
The way to know how much power you are producing, how much you are using and how much is left in your batteries, is to use a system meter. Without a system meter, you are working blind.
Main Supply Direct Current (DC) Disconnect
If you have a battery bank then you will need a main Direct Current disconnect. You design the system so that it sits between your batteries and the AC DC inverter. This turns off the power from your batteries, which then allows you to undertake any preventative maintenance.
DC To AC Inverter
Batteries and solar panels output a direct current. What we have to do is convert this DC current into an AC current. We convert DC to AC using the inverter and so all your electrical home appliances work without any problems.
Diesel Generator
There are various types of electric generators to choose from. You will want one of these if you are not connected to the national grid. A backup generator does not only secure your energy supply should something go wrong, it can also recharge your batteries during cloudy days or at night.
Alternating Current Breaker Panel
If you have a utility supplier, you will have a AC breaker panel. This is where the electricity from the national grid enters your home. Only your electricity supplier is allowed to touch these panels. You have to get the electric company to come along and wire it up for you.
Whatever you do, do not wire it up yourself. You can get into a lot of trouble, and it isn't worth the hassle. The utility company will find out in the end..
KW per Hour Meter
Every house with a utility electric supplier has an electric meter. The meter measures your electric usage and your bill is calculated based on the figures from this meter. So if you send power back to the grid, this will go in reverse.
Learning to build a solar panel is the first step. The second step is to design a system that will work in your home. Go to Build a Solar Panel and learn all you need to know about building the right system for your house.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
What Other Various Models of Solar Powered Systems?
Once you have built your solar panel array. You now need to connect to a system so that will allow you to either use, store or feed to the grid the electricity you have generated.
Portable Solar Power Generator
Smallest, cheapest and the most simple system. The system comprises of a solar panel, charge controller, battery and an inverter.
The important thing here is that you can increase the capacity of the system very easily just by adding more solar panels. Solar panels supply electricity as Direct Current. Your appliances use an Alternating Current, so the inverter converts DC to AC.
You can store excess electricity in batteries, because once electricity is produced it has to be used, so use it or lose it! Do not use standard auto battery, use a deep cycle battery.
Grid-Tied Solar Generator
If you currently have your electricity supplied by a utility company then give this type of setup very close consideration. What you do is not waste time with batteries, you can send the extra power straight back to the grid. The benefit is you get paid by your supplier for producing the electricity, how cool is that.
After you Build a Solar Panel, you will appreciate how easy they are to make. You can easily build one panel in 7 days and let's say over a year you build 35 of them. If you built 26 panels, this would probably be more than enough to cover not only your electricity bills but many other monthly as well.
On-Grid Solar Power Generator with a Battery Store
To cover all basis you may want a battery backup system integrated with you grid tied solar system. Should you have a cloudy day, or at night when you are generating no power, what do you do then? The battery system can kick-in and supply your needs without having to take power from the grid.
Off-Grid Solar Power Generator
If you are not connected to the grid then you will want to have a battery bank of some considerable size. By doing so you will not waste any of the electricity you have generated.
Batteries perform better when they are warm so it is wise to invest in a battery box and keep them in your garage. A battery box also doubles up as offering a safety feature, so kids or animals don't get to close. Just imagine if your dog peed up against a battery, or perhaps not!
The other thing to bear in mind is that for long cloudy periods or during the winter when you don't get much sun, it would be worthwhile connecting a traditional generator to your solar powered system.
Learn more about how to build a solar panel and use it for powering your home visit build a solar panel.
Portable Solar Power Generator
Smallest, cheapest and the most simple system. The system comprises of a solar panel, charge controller, battery and an inverter.
The important thing here is that you can increase the capacity of the system very easily just by adding more solar panels. Solar panels supply electricity as Direct Current. Your appliances use an Alternating Current, so the inverter converts DC to AC.
You can store excess electricity in batteries, because once electricity is produced it has to be used, so use it or lose it! Do not use standard auto battery, use a deep cycle battery.
Grid-Tied Solar Generator
If you currently have your electricity supplied by a utility company then give this type of setup very close consideration. What you do is not waste time with batteries, you can send the extra power straight back to the grid. The benefit is you get paid by your supplier for producing the electricity, how cool is that.
After you Build a Solar Panel, you will appreciate how easy they are to make. You can easily build one panel in 7 days and let's say over a year you build 35 of them. If you built 26 panels, this would probably be more than enough to cover not only your electricity bills but many other monthly as well.
On-Grid Solar Power Generator with a Battery Store
To cover all basis you may want a battery backup system integrated with you grid tied solar system. Should you have a cloudy day, or at night when you are generating no power, what do you do then? The battery system can kick-in and supply your needs without having to take power from the grid.
Off-Grid Solar Power Generator
If you are not connected to the grid then you will want to have a battery bank of some considerable size. By doing so you will not waste any of the electricity you have generated.
Batteries perform better when they are warm so it is wise to invest in a battery box and keep them in your garage. A battery box also doubles up as offering a safety feature, so kids or animals don't get to close. Just imagine if your dog peed up against a battery, or perhaps not!
The other thing to bear in mind is that for long cloudy periods or during the winter when you don't get much sun, it would be worthwhile connecting a traditional generator to your solar powered system.
Learn more about how to build a solar panel and use it for powering your home visit build a solar panel.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
More Solar Power Sites
These sites are related to solar power and solar energy which may be of interest.
1 http://www.goearthenergy.com/useful_resources.php
2 http://speedcleaninganswers.com/shops/shops.php
3 http://www.organicgardeningguys.com/gardening-resources/
4 http://www.soundisolatingearphone.com/sites.php
5 http://www.mowerdeals.com/related-sites
6 http://www.landscape-lighting-guides.com/partners.php/
1 http://www.goearthenergy.com/useful_resources.php
2 http://speedcleaninganswers.com/shops/shops.php
3 http://www.organicgardeningguys.com/gardening-resources/
4 http://www.soundisolatingearphone.com/sites.php
5 http://www.mowerdeals.com/related-sites
6 http://www.landscape-lighting-guides.com/partners.php/
Build a Solar Panel - The 9 Essential Items You Must Have!
When you build a solar panel, it is very important that you have the right plan before you start. Your action plan should include, products, equipment and a good training manual.
Learn more about how to build a solar panel or visit here to understand how to Build a Solar Panel if money is in short supply.
Learn more about how to build a solar panel or visit here to understand how to Build a Solar Panel if money is in short supply.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Build a Solar Panel - Preparation Is The key To Success!
Where to Find Solar Cells
Depending on what size solar panel you are going to build, will dictate how many solar cells you are going to need. If you don't want to pay full price for your solar cells you can try a local company who repairs solar equipment or try eBay. Like road signs, these get damaged and chipped and get thrown away. These companies don't repair the actual cells, they just replace them. So you can salvage them and use them in your panel.
12mm Thick Plywood
The plywood is the main part of the construction of your solar panel. Get a good sheet of flat plywood and cut it to size. The plywood will be painted with a UV protector ensuring the elements do not destroy your panel for many years.
Soft or Preferably Hard Wood
If you can afford hardwood then get this as it will last longer when left outside at the mercy of the elements and again we will treat it with a UV protector to enhance the lifecycle of your solar panel.
Flexi-Glass
Flexi- glass is used to protect the solar cells and all the electrical wiring. Some people like to use special glass that has the ability to collect infrared light. This is expensive but it will make your solar panel more efficient as the infrared feature will allow you to convert the suns energy in cloudy conditions.
Solder Tabbing Wire
This soldering wire enables you to connect the various solar cells together and so make a complete solar panel. The tabbing or soldering wire is manufactured from tin and has a very melting point.
Silicone
Silicon is used to make the solar panel water tight by filling the gap between the flexi glass and the wooden frame. It is also used to hold the solar cells in place.
Wiring Solder
You use solder to connect the copper wires together. The solar cells produce the current, and this current is then carried from the solar panel to your home and connecting to the inverter or batteries depending on which system you have employed. Should the tin tabbing wire not stay in place, the solder can be applied to stick it back down again.
Flux
Flux is needed to ensure the tabbing wire sticks to the cells. A flux pen is very good for this as it is just the right width. The flux is essential for the tabbing wire to stick to the boards. If you do not use flux then the tabbing wire will not stick to the solar cells and no current will be able to run along it.
UV Wood Protector
Both the plywood and the wooden frame should be treated with a UV protector. This will protect your solar panel from the sun's UV light which has a tendency to rot wood very quickly.
Volt Meter
You want to know what the output of your solar panel is, so you connect the volt meter to the output and then angle your solar panel so that it is direct sunlight. The output increases as you add more solar cells.
Learn more about how to build a solar panel or visit here to understand how to Build a Solar Panel if money is in short supply.
Depending on what size solar panel you are going to build, will dictate how many solar cells you are going to need. If you don't want to pay full price for your solar cells you can try a local company who repairs solar equipment or try eBay. Like road signs, these get damaged and chipped and get thrown away. These companies don't repair the actual cells, they just replace them. So you can salvage them and use them in your panel.
12mm Thick Plywood
The plywood is the main part of the construction of your solar panel. Get a good sheet of flat plywood and cut it to size. The plywood will be painted with a UV protector ensuring the elements do not destroy your panel for many years.
Soft or Preferably Hard Wood
If you can afford hardwood then get this as it will last longer when left outside at the mercy of the elements and again we will treat it with a UV protector to enhance the lifecycle of your solar panel.
Flexi-Glass
Flexi- glass is used to protect the solar cells and all the electrical wiring. Some people like to use special glass that has the ability to collect infrared light. This is expensive but it will make your solar panel more efficient as the infrared feature will allow you to convert the suns energy in cloudy conditions.
Solder Tabbing Wire
This soldering wire enables you to connect the various solar cells together and so make a complete solar panel. The tabbing or soldering wire is manufactured from tin and has a very melting point.
Silicone
Silicon is used to make the solar panel water tight by filling the gap between the flexi glass and the wooden frame. It is also used to hold the solar cells in place.
Wiring Solder
You use solder to connect the copper wires together. The solar cells produce the current, and this current is then carried from the solar panel to your home and connecting to the inverter or batteries depending on which system you have employed. Should the tin tabbing wire not stay in place, the solder can be applied to stick it back down again.
Flux
Flux is needed to ensure the tabbing wire sticks to the cells. A flux pen is very good for this as it is just the right width. The flux is essential for the tabbing wire to stick to the boards. If you do not use flux then the tabbing wire will not stick to the solar cells and no current will be able to run along it.
UV Wood Protector
Both the plywood and the wooden frame should be treated with a UV protector. This will protect your solar panel from the sun's UV light which has a tendency to rot wood very quickly.
Volt Meter
You want to know what the output of your solar panel is, so you connect the volt meter to the output and then angle your solar panel so that it is direct sunlight. The output increases as you add more solar cells.
Learn more about how to build a solar panel or visit here to understand how to Build a Solar Panel if money is in short supply.
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